Ex-NFL Player Arrested While Trying to Steal Groceries

Former NFL first-round draft pick Robert Nkemdiche was taken into custody last week after police say he tried to walk out of a grocery store with items hidden in his clothing.

According to a report, the incident happened at a Kroger store in Georgia. Officers reportedly noticed suspicious bulges in Nkemdiche’s sweatpants that appeared to be large objects.

A police report said the shapes looked consistent with concealed grocery items.

An officer later approached Nkemdiche after he walked toward a nearby gas station. He was then placed in handcuffs.

After searching the area around the store and gas station, officers reportedly found several grocery items, including frozen foods, candy bars, and almond milk. Nkemdiche allegedly told officers he didn’t have anything else hidden in his pants.

Although the grocery store reportedly did not want to press charges, police discovered that Nkemdiche had three outstanding warrants in Georgia when they ran his name through the system.

He was taken to jail and booked on those warrants.

The incident is the latest legal issue for the former NFL player. In March 2025, Nkemdiche was arrested in Kennesaw, Georgia, and charged with disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, and driving without proof of insurance.

Nkemdiche was once considered one of the top defensive prospects in college football. He starred at the University of Mississippi, where he earned All-American honors and was named first-team All-SEC in 2015.

The Arizona Cardinals selected him in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

He played with the Cardinals until 2019 before being waived after a failed physical. He later signed with the Miami Dolphins for a short stint that same year.

After that, Nkemdiche spent time with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021 and later joined the San Francisco 49ers practice squad in 2022.

In recent years, he has bounced between several alternative football leagues, including the United Football League, the Indoor Football League, and the Canadian Football League. He has not played professional football since 2024.